A Cree man from the Ahtahkakoop First Nation is now the chair of the board of governors for the University of Saskatchewan
Lee Ahenakew, 44, has been on the board for the past couple of years, serving as vice president. He has now been promoted to the top spot. He becomes the first Aboriginal person to hold that position.
For him it is an honour. For others, especially Aboriginal students, he said he hopes it is an inspiration.
“By virtue of me being there and me being First Nations I hope that that encourages youth to get through their studies stay in school and aspire to all they can in the world,” he said.
Ahenakew graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1997 with a commerce degree.
Since then he has developed a reputation as a business manager specializing on Aboriginal engagement with major corporations. He is currently a business manager for the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs.
Ahenakew is also a member of the board of directors of the First Nations Power Authority.
Ahenakew takes over from Greg Smith as chair of the board of governors at the U of S. He says he has learned a great deal from Smith and thanked him for his leadership and knowledge.